All was tumult and rejoicing. The Queen lay proud and happy on the satin pillows of her great golden bed, and looked and looked at the beautiful little Princess in the golden cradle at her side. Everyone was delighted at the coming of this Princess, but none seemed more so than the Earth Fairy herself. She stayed close by the Queen’s side, ready to anticipate her every want, and joined with the rest in her admiration of the baby Princess.
As soon as the child arrived, a messenger was sent in haste to recall King Red Flame to the palace, but before the man rode forth the Earth Fairy hastened down, and even as he was placing his foot in the stirrup, she told him that Queen Glow had decided not to send word to the King, as his business was too important to be interrupted. Instead the messenger was to ride off in exactly the opposite direction, and fetch back a golden cup which Queen Glow had ordered to be ready when she should send for it.
This was a false errand, but the Earth Fairy did not wish anyone to know that she had countermanded the Queen’s order, and if he were seen to set out on a journey, all would suppose that he had gone in search of the King.
Soon after the messenger had departed, the Queen said to the Earth Fairy, who was sitting beside her, “Send everybody away except yourself. I wish to rest. You yourself are so quiet, dear Earth Fairy, you will not disturb me, and you can watch over my little daughter, and see that no harm comes to her while I sleep.”
“I shall be only too happy, Your Highness, to do anything that pleases you,” answered the Earth Fairy sweetly.
So it was that the Queen, and the Earth Fairy, and the baby Princess were presently left alone together, and as Queen Glow turned on her side and closed her eyes, the Earth Fairy seated herself beside the cradle with a piece of embroidery.
Before Queen Glow fell asleep, she murmured softly, “To-morrow, Earth Fairy, King Red Flame will be here. Only think how happy he will be to see his little daughter!”
“Ah, Your Highness; what happiness!” purred the Earth Fairy from her chair beside the cradle.
Now the room grew very still, and Queen Glow fell into a profound slumber. Then the Earth Fairy laid down her embroidery, and rose softly from her chair. She tiptoed to the bed, bent over the Queen, and listened intently to her breathing, till she was certain that her mistress slept. Then she crept from the room, and was gone for some little time. When she returned, she brought, concealed in the folds of her dress, a bundle of the most powerful wands that the palace contained. She stood a moment and listened. The Queen and the Princess slept as before.
The Earth Fairy locked the door quickly, and made haste to open the bundle of wands. She took out the one that she knew to be the most potent, and carried it to the bedside of the Queen. It was serpent-shaped and slender, and as the Earth Fairy waved it above the Queen long green tongues of flame darted from its tip.